Jerry Bisantz plans to give 'em the old razzle-dazzle when he takes on the role of Billy Flynn, the charming, fast-talking lawyer, in Greater Lowell Music Theatre's upcoming production of Chicago.

It plays Durgin Hall on UMass Lowell's South Campus Aug. 1-3.

It's a role Bisantz, actor, playwright, director and artistic director of Image Theater Company, has wanted to play for years.

"It's been on my list, so when Jack (Neary, GLMT's artistic director) called and asked if I was interested, I said, 'are you kidding me, of course,' " said Bisantz.

Ripped from the headlines of the 1930s by creators Bob Fosse, John Kander and Fred Ebb, Chicago is a sizzling vaudeville-styled show loaded with memorable tunes ("All That Jazz, "Razzle Dazzle") and unforgettable dancing.

Billy is the over-the-top lawyer who turns murderesses Velma Kelly (Kate Grande) and Roxie Hart (Jessica Dee) into celebrities and gets them off during their headline-grabbing trial.

"He's a funny guy, glib and without scruples -- but no one else has scruples either," said Bisantz.

"And I love Chicago," he added. "It's a musical with an edge -- a little naughtier than other musicals, which I like."

Neary agrees, noting that Chicago is a good contrast to GLMT's recent production of Fiddler on the Roof.

"Chicago is one of the hottest Broadway musicals ever, despite the fact it's been around since 1975. We chose it because it's vastly entertaining, very funny, very sexy and loaded with top-drawer musical numbers. Rehearsals are going extremely well and our cast is, as usual, superb."

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Bisantz has been running and working out for a couple of months, preparing for his star turn as Billy.

"You don't want a fat Billy Flynn," he quipped. "I love playing bad guys, and Billy is bad but with a rakish charm. He's one of those guys you love to hate -- or hate to love."

GLMT's Fiddler broke the company's attendance records with over 1800 people attending its three performances.

"We hope they all come back to see Chicago, plus many others," said Neary. "They won't be disappointed."

Performances of Chicago are on Friday-Saturday, Aug. 1-2, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 3, at 2 p.m., in Durgin Hall on the UMass Lowell South Campus. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30 at glmt.org or call 978-319-8867.

On the marquee

Teen Actorsingers present Legally Blonde: The Musical July 18-20

THINK PINK: The Teen Actorsingers of Nashua bring Legally Blonde: The Musical to life Friday-Sunday, July 18-20, at the Janice B. Streeter Theatre, Court Street, Nashua. The show, based on the popular movie, is about irrepressible blonde Elle Woods, who takes Harvard Law School by storm when she arrives there to win her boyfriend back and uses her charms to wrangle her way into the school herself. The cast of 28 local teens features Nashua native Susan Dudka as Elle. Joe Juknievich directs, with Eric Berthiaume serving as musical director and Britney-Lynn Stanley handling choreography. Performances July 18-19 at 8 p.m. and July 19-20 at 2 p.m. Visit actorsingers.org for tickets.

UNDER THE SEA: Young thespians take audiences on an adventure in the briny deep with the ShirleyArts! production of Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. on Friday, July 18, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 19, at 2 p.m., at the Ayer Shirley Middle School, 1 Hospital Road, Shirley. Nearly 40 young singers, dancers and actors from Shirley, Ayer, Groton, Lunenberg, Pepperell, Fitchburg and Gardner in Massachusetts and Fitzwilliam, N.H. participate. Tickets $5 at Hazen Memorial Library, Shirley, or at the door.

AND ELSEWHERE: North Shore Music Theatre has extended its production of Disney's The Little Mermaid through July 27. For tickets and information, call 978-232-7200, visit nsmt.org or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Road, Beverly... Boston Midsummer Opera presents The Bartered Bride, a comedic opera by Bedrich Smetana, on July 23, 25 and 27 at the Tsai Performance Center at Boston University. Tickets $40-$60 at bostonmidsummeropera.org or call 617-227-0442.

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